THE WIFE of a policeman who was saved by heroic colleagues has said she will never be able to repay them for what they did.

PC Mike Smith, 54, collapsed on Regent Street in Hinckley town centre early last Saturday.

Thinking he had suffered a massive heart attack, fellow officers kept him alive by giving him cardio-pulmonary resuscitation until an ambulance arrived.

He was taken to George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton, with friends and family fearing the worst.

Street pastors who witnessed the incident unfold went to pray for the stricken officer. The grandfather of two pulled through.

He is now being moved to University Hospital at Coventry for more tests as doctors believe he suffered a heart attack that hit with no warning.

Ironically, PC Smith was given an outstanding service award five years ago for his efforts to help a man who had suffered a heart attack.

He was off duty in Earl Shilton when he came across an accident and found a man unconcious at the wheel of his van. He performed CPR but was too late to help. His efforts were officially recognised.

Now his wife of 20 years has paid tribute to the people who saved his life.

Stella Smith said: “I will never be able to thank the people that helped enough. They’ve been absolutely fantastic.

“Everyone from the police who were on the scene, the street pastors, the ambulance crew, to the cleaners in the hospital had a part to play in saving my husband’s life.

“I will never be able to repay them for what they have done.”

Now Arbroath-born PC Smith, who lives with his family on Oak Road, Desford, is sitting up and talking to family members.

He faces another three weeks in hospital, with doctors still unsure why his heart stopped.

Stella added: “The emergency services were all amazing. They haven’t got an easy job and people are so quick to criticise them.

“All they do is try to help other people. Even the people who came to tell me what had happened were so sensitive and dealt with the situation so well.

“It’s so difficult to put into words how brilliant they all are.”

Since PC Smith’s collapse his wife has been inundated with calls – including a number from fellow Rangers fans north of the border.

The policeman is also an avid Scotland fan and the family attend as many games as possible.

Stella is now hoping he will be well enough to make the trip to Amsterdam in March next year with the Burst Balloons Tartan Army, a famous group of Scotland fans.

She said: “This is what he has been looking forward to for ages. His flight is already booked, his kilt is cleaned and pressed, shirt and socks ready and boots polished. He just needs to buy a piper’s jacket with gold braiding and he’ll be fully kitted out.”

Despite the incident Stella is certain that after eight years on the force he will stay on in some capacity.

Inspector Martyn Ball, commander of Hinckley police, said: “The whole team at Hinckley wish him a speedy recovery and would like to offer any support they can to him and his family.”